Ultimate Pet Friendly Guide for an NYC Winter Trip

Author: @codycuddlebug

The great thing about living in New York City is that it feels like everyone you know passes through at one point of the other. We have a constant stream of friends and family who make pit stops in the city for a couple weeks. We always get asked if NYC is a good place to bring pets to.

Well, another great thing about New York City is how amazingly pet-friendly it is! Bringing your fur baby along is not going to be a problem, and you will be spoilt for choice with the many fun activities to choose from. Coming for Petcon? Thinking about a post-Thanksgiving or Christmas visit? If you’re coming during the Fall or Winter season, here are a couple of tips for you:

Where to Stay

There are a couple of pet-friendly hotels to choose from in New York City.

We have personally stayed at the Soho Grand Hotel and they really roll out the red carpet for your pooch. There is no pet-fee up to 2 dogs of any size, and they provide dog beds and water bowls upon request. The Grand Bar is also pet friendly – imagine lounging on one of their plush couches with your pet while sipping a signature cocktail. BIG PLUS: This is the only hotel in NYC with its own private outdoor dog run accessible only to hotel guests. FANCYPANTS!

A couple of blocks away is another Dog Mom favorite, The James Hotel. They have special Shinola Detroit dog beds and food and water bowls on request. There is a one-time pet fee of $75 for up to 2 dogs. Upon arrival, your pooch will be welcomed with organic treats and a map of the local dog parks. They even have in-room pet menus for discerning foodies! What’s more – for every pet that stays in their hotels, they made a donation to Animal Haven!

Other options to look into:

Ace Hotel: $25 pet fee per night for 1 dog up to 25lbs.

The Muse Hotel: No pet fee for up to 2 pets of any size.

How to Get Around the City

Subway: It’s so easy to get around the city using the subway, but make sure you have a bag to carry your pet in. MTA rules require that pets be in carriers and you could be subjected to a fine if you are found in violation of this rule. To be honest, it’s probably less stressful for the dogs to be carried, where they are away from the rush of commuters’ feet.

We have used a Love Thy Beast bag in the past but we now swear by our K9 Sportsack. Cody is just so happy to be eye-level with the rest of the world and he practically runs to get into his K9 Sportsack when we bring it out because it signals fun times ahead.

Uber/Lyft/Juno/Cabs: If taking a car is more your style, have no fear – there are multiple options available ranging from the trusty yellow NYC cabs that you can hail from every street corner to the many ride-hailing apps out there. We typically use Juno because you can already include a message to the driver when you book to inform them that you have a dog with you.

On Uber, it’s always advisable to just give the driver a call as a heads up. 9 out of 10 times we don’t have any issues with any drivers.

NYC Ferry: If the weather permits it, don’t miss a chance to ride the ferry. Our favorite route is the Wall St – Dumbo one. For $2.75 per ride, this is the cheapest cruise you will ever be on, with very picturesque views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines. You will need to keep your pooch secured and in a carrier at all times – but it’s worth the trip, especially as they can explore Brooklyn afterwards.

Where to Go

There is no shortage of dog parks where your pooch can romp in! Here are our favorites:

Stuyvesant Park: Huge, spacious, and PAVED! Our doodle romps are always held here. Cody gets a great workout every time as the dogs are very friendly and well socialized. This is our favorite spot when we just had him groomed or when it just rained because it gives us the best chance of him staying clean.

Washington Square Park: Separate large and small dog areas. This is not a paved dog run and they have running water so prepare for your dog potentially getting a mud bath – but hey, that just means they had a lot of fun!

Flatiron/Madison Square Park: The Flatiron building is always an iconic spot for photos before heading to Madison Square Park. The dog run itself is small, but walking through the park itself is so much fun. Sit in one of the benches and people watch, or drop by Shake Shack and treat your buddy to a poochini!

Leroy Street Dog Park/Hudson River Park: This is a very small dog run but spotless and very well maintained. Concrete so your pooch stays mud-free even if hosed. It has a great view of the Hudson River – strolling along the water is an adventure in itself. Watch out is that it can get really windy so check the weather before dropping by.

Central Park: Fall is honestly my favorite time to visit Central Park. The colors are gorgeous and your dog will go nuts over the fall leaves. There are 23 areas which are off-leash before 9am and after 9pm. The Great Lawn is a fun spot to meet fellow dog lovers.

Bushwick Collective: If you fancy seeing some of the biggest and most creative street art in the world, you need to make a stop at the Bushwick Collective. There are almost 100 blocks with graffiti and street art in the area. Our favorites are concentrated in the Troutman and St Nicholas streets.

Prospect Park: This park can honestly give Central Park a run for its money. The park is off-leash between 5am-9am and 9pm-1am, and there are huge sprawling fields where your dog can happily run and socialize with other dogs. There is even a swimming hole if your pooch gets overheated and needs a quick dip.

Where to Eat

During the summer, most restaurants will let dogs stay in the alfresco areas. However, choices are more limited during Autumn and Winter seasons, but there are still a couple of local favorites where your pooch will be welcome! Cody loves to stop by Shake Shack year round!

Enjoy your Trip!

Isn’t NYC such a grand place to be a dog? I hope to see you at one of my favorite hangouts soon and that you have a fun visit to the Big Apple!

Are you an NYC pup too? We would love to hear what is your favorite spot in the city! Let us know in the comments below!

Love,

Cody Cuddlebug and Hooman Staff

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